Photos: Europe's IXV Reusable Space Plane Prototype

Artist Impression of ESA's Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle

This artist's impression shows ESA's Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle (IXV). Image released Nov. 17, 2014.

Vega VV04 i n Mobile Gantry

ESA’s Vega VV04 rocket, carrying IXV, stands fully assembled in its mobile gantry, at Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, on Jan. 30, 2015.

IXV Installed on its Payload Adapter

The IXV Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle is shown installed on its payload adapter, on Jan. 26, 2015, at Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.

IXV During Fairing Encapsulation

A high angle photo shows workers preparing the IXV Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle, installed on its payload adapter, for launch, at Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, on Jan. 28, 2015.

IXV Before Fairing Encapsulation

Workers prepare the IXV Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle, installed on its payload adapter, for launch, at Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, on Jan. 28, 2015

IXV Is Prepared for Launch

Workers prepare the IXV Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle, installed on its payload adapter, for launch, at Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, on Jan. 27, 2015.

IXV Prepared for Launch

Workers prepare the IXV Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle, installed on its payload adapter, for launch, at Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, on Jan. 27, 2015.

IXV Installed on Payload Adapter #2

The IXV Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle undergoes installation on its payload adapter, on Jan. 26, 2015, at Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.

IXV Installed on Payload Adapter

The IXV Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle undergoes installation on its payload adapter, on Jan. 26, 2015, at Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.

Unboxing IXV

The European Space Agency's IXV Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle emerges from its protective container, safely inside the cleanroom environment of the agency’s technical center. Image released July 2, 2014.